What you should know about applying for or renewing a passport during the government shutdown

Applying for or renewing a passport can be stressful, especially when preparing for international travel. The government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, has affected many federal services, but for those traveling abroad, there should be no cause for concern as passport processing has not been affected. Passport processing is part of Consular Affairs, which is considered an essential service. “During the interruption of government funding, consular operations at home and abroad will remain operational. This includes: passports, visas, [and] assist U.S. citizens abroad,” according to the State Department website.

Congressional appropriations do not fund passport processing; rather, processing is primarily funded by passport applications, so this service is not directly affected by the government shutdown. “Passports are funded through the U.S. Department of State and are funded primarily by fees, meaning passport issuance is not dependent on government funding,” says Sarah Silbert, editor-in-chief of Points route.

Processing times have not changed since the government shutdown. Routine processing time is four to six weeks, and expedited service is two to three weeks, depending on the State Department website. Shipping times are not included in these estimates; It may take up to an additional month for them to receive the application and then mail the completed passport.

Traveling internationally in two weeks or less? Request an appointment through a passport agency or center. “Those who need urgent travel documents should make an in-person appointment at a regional passport agency and present proof of imminent travel within 14 days,” said Reza Motalebpour, founder and CEO of INGWE Immigration.

Dr. John Rose, Chief Risk Advisor of AltourHe renewed his passport and book this October, and the entire process took 13 days. “It shows that the system is working efficiently at the moment, but travelers should not assume that will continue to be the case if the closure is prolonged.”

It is recommended to plan ahead and allow for possible slower processing times if you are currently applying for or renewing a passport. “There could be delays if staff processing passports are affected by furloughs or the closure of other government agencies,” Silbert says. Agency staff reductions and staffing disruptions within the government could cause processing to take longer than usual. Motalebpour adds: “During the 2018-2019 lockdown, for example, passport operations continued in most locations, although delays of one to two weeks due to reduced staff and slower security clearances were common.”